Member for Fairfax, Ted O’Brien MP is encouraging Australians to acknowledge the enormous contribution of Australia’s carers this week.
National Carers Week provides an opportunity to highlight the invaluable work of Australia’s 2.7 million unpaid carers to our families, communities and the nation.
“One in eight Australians care for a family member or friend who needs support due to disability, age, mental illness, or long-term physical illness,” Mr O’Brien said.
“In Queensland, there are 474,300 carers, including 54,100 young carers.”
The Australian Government is committed to improving the social and economic well-being of carers whose efforts are estimated to contribute over $1 billion weekly to our national economy.
“Australia’s 2.7 million unpaid carers spend an incredible 36 million hours every week providing care and support to family members or friends with a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, or who are frail aged,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The Government provides over $8 billion annually in carer payments, allowances and supplements to give carers financial relief while caring for their loved ones,” Mr O’Brien said.
Earlier this year, the Liberal National Government announced an additional $85.6 million over four years to deliver a range of new supports through the Integrated Carer Support Service.
New online services include peer support, counselling and educational resources to be designed and tested with carers and delivered through the Carer Gateway website from later this month.
A network of Carer Gateway regional delivery partners will also be established nationally from September 2019, giving carers access to expanded services such as financial support packages, face-to-face counselling and emergency crisis support.